There are project managers or owner’s representatives; and then there are program managers, contract managers, and construction advisors. We provide it all and call it all Project Direction.

Over the past two decades, Paratus Group has gained extensive experience providing Project Direction services for major cultural institutions. In the process, we have earned a strong reputation for successfully guiding these institutions through increasingly complex building projects. Our in-depth understanding of the goals and concerns not just of the owners but also the architects and the builders, allows our clients to develop talented teams who can create the best and most successful building.

We make buildings that work.

A successful structure is far more than a feat of engineering. While public buildings are designed by architects, they are shaped by countless factors and processes. Paratus Group manages the complex interplay of multiple participants—both local and global—with institutional dynamics, budget constraints, project goals, programming needs, and timelines to ensure that the influences framing each project are desired and intentional. From geotechnical to graphics, acoustics to attorneys, and traffic to technology, we oversee all types of consultants, partnering with our client to customize a workflow that will guide the team through planning, design, and construction. By effectively managing all phases of the process, we ensure that each building stays on budget and on schedule, is programmatically successful, and achieves the highest level of design.

Andrew founded Paratus Group in 1997 to provide focused consulting for cultural projects involving complex programs, exceptional design, intricate construction, and highly creative global teams. With over thirty years of experience, Andy plays a key leadership role in each project undertaken by Paratus Group.

Paratus grew out of a project that began in 1991, when Andy was chosen to oversee the expansion of the landmarked Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum on Manhattan’s Museum Mile. Subsequently, he was asked to play a key role directing the planning and programming of Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain. Andy founded Paratus Group in order to provide these services to other cultural institutions. Paratus is unique in the field in that they take a leadership role in programming, planning and budgeting new institutions and they follow through by overseeing all of the design and construction. We believe that all the decisions involved from beginning to the end of a project should be guided by the same principles and goals that defined the project at its inception.

Paratus provided Project Direction services for the completed Morgan Library expansion with Renzo Piano, the Toledo Glass Pavilion with SANAA, the McNay Art Museum expansion with Jean Paul Viguier, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum expansion with Renzo Piano, the Perez Art Museum with Herzog de Mueron, the Kimbell Art Museum with Renzo Piano, and most recently Grace Farms with SANAA. We also restored the Guggenheim Museum in 2008. Currently we are consulting with The Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw on a Tom Phifer Building, expanding the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, building the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and the Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles.

Andy is actively engaged in the architecture community, serving as a guest critic at Yale University School of Architecture and as a speaker at industry events, as well as on advisory panels for civic projects, such as the new Tappan Zee Bridge. He holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and environmental studies from Bowdoin College.

Robert joined Paratus Group in 2005 and has taken the lead role in many high-profile projects. Robert worked with Andy on early planning, programming, and balancing for the Perez Art Museum Miami, the Kimbell Art Museum expansion, and Grace Farms. He personally managed the McNay Art Museum expansion, the Perez design and construction, as well as the renovation of the Young Arts campus in Miami.

Robert has over 20 years of experience in the design and management of a broad range of projects with architecture and design firms. He has served as a guest juror of student work at Columbia, New Jersey Institute of Technology, and New York University. He has led the development of panel discussions for the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums and participated in panel discussions with the American Alliance of Museums. Robert holds a bachelor of architecture from Syracuse University. He is licensed architect in the states of New York and New Jersey, is a member of the American Institutes of Architects, and is certified by the National Architectural Registration Board.

Antonio joined Paratus Group in 2004 and has managed projects across programming, design, and construction phases. Currently, Antonio is directing the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures project in Los Angeles and previously directed the Kimbell Art Museum expansion. His extended portfolio of work includes the Perez Art Museum Miami, Grace Farms, the McNay Art Museum expansion, and the renovation and expansion of the Morgan Library and Museum.

Antonio has over 15 years of experience in architecture and construction management. Before Paratus Group, he worked for firms such as Centex Construction and Construcciones Metropoli in Colombia, on commercial, education, and healthcare construction projects. Antonio holds a graduate certificate in real estate from New York University and a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Virginia. He is a LEED accredited professional.

Pamela joined Paratus Group in 2005 and has managed projects in varying capacities. Most recently she directed the construction phase for Grace Farms and the exterior restoration of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. She has also assisted on the Perez Art Museum Miami, the Kimbell Art Museum expansion, the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion addition, programming for a cultural complex on a former industrial site in Hangzhou, and the Morgan Library and Museum expansion.

Previously, Pamela worked with architecture and design firms Rice + Lipka Architects, Wood and Zapata, Carlos Zapata Design Studio, and Brennan Beer Gorman Architects. Pamela completed graduate level coursework in advanced building technology at SUNY Buffalo, New York and holds a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of the Philippines.

Denny joined Paratus Group in 2014 as the onsite project manager for construction of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts expansion.

Previously, Denny worked with Rafael Viñoly Architects as project architect and as a senior technical designer for Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Denny holds a bachelor of architecture from Northeastern University with a minor in urban studies and political science.

Ryan joined Paratus Group in 2015 as the onsite project manager for construction of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Previously, Ryan worked on the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center site, where he managed the design and construction of both the memorial and museum. Ryan holds a master of science in construction management from New York University and a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Virginia. He is a LEED accredited professional.

Lauren joined Paratus Group in 2016 as an onsite project manager for construction of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles.

Previously, Lauren spent three years with Sciame Construction in New York City, where she managed the construction of Grace Farms in New Canaan, Connecticut. Prior to entering into construction management, Lauren worked as an interior architect in New York. Lauren holds a master of architecture degree from Pratt Institute.

Andrea joined Paratus Group in 2017 as the onsite project manager for the Berggruen Institute project in Los Angeles.

Andrea has over 10 years of experience in design and construction in architecture. Prior to joining Paratus Group, Andrea worked with Michael Maltzan Architects and Morphosis Architects in Los Angeles, California, and was a visiting lecturer at Rice University School of Architecture in Houston, Texas. Her portfolio of constructed work includes the Rice Moody Center for the Arts, the FLOAT House, and the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. She has been a guest juror of student work within the architecture departments of UCLA, University of Southern California, Cal State Pomona, and Rice University. Andrea holds a Master’s of Architecture from Rice University, and a Bachelor’s of Art in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin. She is a licensed architect in the State of California and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

Cortez joined Paratus Group in 2017 as an assistant project manager for the Berggruen Institute project in Los Angeles.

Prior to joining Paratus Group, Cortez worked with SHoP Architects in New York City and DLR Group in Orlando, FL. His portfolio of constructed work includes the expansion and renovation of SITE Santa Fe in Santa Fe, NM, the George C. Young Federal Building Renovation in Orlando, FL, and the Winter Park 9th Grade Center in Winter Park, FL. Cortez holds a Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from Yale University. He is a licensed Architect in the state of New York.

Linda joined Paratus Group in 2003 to manage office operations and accounting. In addition, she directs the management of project budgeting, accounting, and contract administration.

Linda has over 30 years of accounting and administrative experience in a variety of business, educational, and non-profit organizations. She worked as an independent bookkeeper and management consultant for interior design, architecture, and general contracting firms. Linda studied accounting, management, and graphic design at Northeastern University and art history at Harvard Extension School.

Julianna joined Paratus Group in 2007 and serviced a number of roles with the company. She began as an assistant project manager for the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, after which she worked as a project manager for Grace Farms. She manages project budgets, accounting, and contract administration. In addition, she provides overall support to project directors and managers.

Previously, Julianna taught at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning and worked with the M Group Architects & Interior Architects in Virginia. Julianna holds a master of architecture from the University of Michigan and a bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Virginia. She is a licensed architect in the state of New York.

Clint joined Paratus Group in 2009 to manage project budgets, accounting, and contract administration. He plays an integral role in managing Paratus Group’s daily operations.

Previously, Clint worked as a community planner in both the public and private sectors in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he served as operations coordinator for the YMCA of Greater New York Association Offices. Clint holds a masters of arts (ABT) in social and public policy with a certificate in conflict resolution from Duquesne University and a bachelors of science in environmental studies and urban planning from Slippery Rock University.

Josh joined Paratus Group in 2016 to manage project budgets, accounting, and contract administration.

Previously, he worked with the land surveying, civil and structural engineering firm BWE in San Diego in progressive clerical, financial and administrative roles from Database Administrator to Engineering Assistant and finally Contracts Administrator. Josh completed graduate-level coursework in economics at San Diego State University, and he holds a bachelor of science in economics from California State University, Bakersfield and an associate of arts degree in economics from Bakersfield College.